Yesterday’s Gospel reading in the Orthodox Church was John 4:5-42, the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. The story is, of course, packed with meaning, but I would like to point out one interesting aspect that is frequently overlooked.

John 4 says Jesus came to a city of Samaria called Sychar. To my knowledge, there is no historical evidence such a village existed. This led some Church Fathers and scholars to conclude there is some sort of scribal error involved with Sychar. However, I am inclined to think it is no error at all.

The root of Sychar in Hebrew means to earn your living by working as a servant/slave. It is this same word used in Genesis to describe the 14 years of Jacob’s labor to acquire Rachel. In addition to this Sychar, several times throughout John 4 the Greek word “kopio” is used. In verse 6 it is translated as “wearied” and in verse 38 several times as “labor.” The word “kopio” is also used by St Paul in his epistles to speak of laboring for the Gospel.

One more thing to keep in mind is the play on the five husbands in the story. The number five in Scripture is often a reference to the Torah, the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy–the Mosaic Law). Since the Samaritans only accepted the five books of Moses (and not the rest of the Old Testament), Jesus’ discussion here about the five husbands is likely referring to the woman being under bondage to the five books of Moses. Remember, a woman during these times was legally subject to her husband, under his authority.

Based on this info, you can see how there is a play going on between Sychar and kopio. The Sychar, the laboring to keep every aspect of the Mosaic Law, leads to bondage. Drinking of that water leaves one thirsty, always needing to do more and more, work harder and harder. On the other hand, the kopio, the laboring for the Gospel of grace, leads to freedom. Those who drink of the Gospel’s waters will never be thirsty again. They will reap that for which they had not labored (vs. 38) and, following this path of grace, will continue to kopio/labor for those who will come after them and reap of their work.

As Christians, this should be our worldview: freely you received, freely give (Matthew 10:8). We have freely received God’s grace, so we must in turn labor to make this grace known to others–not only in our preaching, but through our works of love and mercy.